Work Text:
Shinsou is a shifter, a prime alpha, trained to be an assassin under the Midoriya Forest crown. His mentor, Aizawa had uncovered a plot against the omegan fairy prince, Izuku, so he’d been tasked with the royal’s protection.
At first, he merely keeps an eye on the precious flower that was the heir. It wasn’t that hard considering the man was an embodiment of everything that was beautiful within mother nature’s kingdom. His eyes were precious jewels; his hair was a tribute to the majestic trees above; his skin smoother than the finest of silk, adorned by constellating freckles that put the night sky to shame — he was perfection topped off with a woven wood and gold crown.
It was flawlessness he never dreamed of touching, never dreamed of possessing. He felt fortunate enough to get to behold it. He was a killer, after all; he'd take what he could get.
Imagine his surprise when the prince, while reading in his study, called out, “I know you’re there, Shifter. I feel your presence. You can come out.”
His figure tensed, but his lips spread to a lazy smirk, changing back to his human form. No one had ever sensed him before. It was amusing. “Impressive, your highness. Will you report me?”
But the man’s expression had changed. There was a curious look about the prince, unbridled energy evident through the expressive movements. Izuku’s small frame flitted about as quick as a hummingbird, appreciating the lavender-eyed man’s qualities as he asked a million questions a minute.
Shinsou sighed. This would get annoying, wouldn’t it?
“I’ll answer your questions if you slow down.”
This seemed to have the opposite effect in terms of energy. It was like the shorter man couldn’t keep still, but at least the rapid muttering had paused.
“Why are you here?” the prince asked.
With a chuckle, Shinosu replied, “It’s a secret,” and turned away. “I’ll be around, just ignore me.”
The prince shook his head. “I can’t! Your power is so cool!”
The assassin’s eyes widened momentarily, before he shifted once more, this time into a cat, and perched himself upon a branch. Maybe it wouldn’t be that bad.
The two were often around each other. Sometimes the prince would begin a conversation, sometimes it would explicitly be to test the shifter’s patience.
At first, foreign assassins made attempts at poisoning Izuku, or at shooting arrows from afar, but once word got out that the prince was stunning in looks, the attempts got bolder. They pretended to be fae folk, or creatures of the forest; some even tried to court him.
Knowing the omega was too innocent for his own good, Shinsou took it upon his own hands to drive the intruders away. With the prince’s permission, he began to scent-mark him daily; if Izuku bathed in the river, sometimes twice or even three times. Seeing that some still neared despite his pheromones in the air, he also gave him different tokens the prince could wear.
It was for protection, nothing else, and it worked. Those attempting to harm Izuku would have to do so from afar, where he’d be able to eliminate them without interrupting the royal’s activities.
But Izuku couldn’t help feeling flustered when his friend and bodyguard started to do so; his body was reacting . Their mixed scents of cedarwood with lavender, and jasmine with bergamot were relaxing, pleasing, addictive.
At first, he tried taking the shifter’s words to heart: It was only for his own safety. But when the gifts started appearing in his rooms, Izuku wondered if the assassin was courting him.
No, no, no! It was improper! The guy was just doing his job.
His omega, however, began to whisper in his ear. ‘ Good alpha. He provides for us. Accept his courting.’
He saw the way mauve waves flowed in the wind, the way those amethyst eyes were always on him, the way the man’s thick muscles twitched when he exerted even minimal strength. The whispers became almost shouts when the alpha would bring him treats after long hours of work, or carry him back to the infirmary after a training session gone wrong.
A few months in, curiosity had turned to frustration.
Why hadn't the prime confessed? His people knew when connections were made — theirs was undeniable — and courtings rarely exceeded a month. After so much time, it was embarrassing.
His council was beginning to question his desirability as a mate and began making plans to find a foreigner to claim the prince. They couldn’t risk him being a spinster; they needed more heirs, and the prince was of age.
Did Shinsou think Izuku would reject him? The man was tall, handsome, caring, honest — he would make a wonderful king!
After another week of torture, the prince barged into the alpha’s rooms, unable to wait any longer.
“Why haven’t you asked me to be your mate yet? We’ve been scenting for months!”
The prime sputtered, scrambling to stand, his face scrunched up in confusion. “We’re not even courting yet!”
Izuku’s face blanched. Oh, no! It was a misunderstanding! “Oh-Oh, I’m sorry, then. I,” he couldn’t help the wobbly lip, or the tears that began to spill. He’d been thinking about Shinsou for months as his future mate, and now…
He flew away as fast as he could, leaving the flabbergasted alpha behind.
Seeing the fairy fly away, Shinsou shifted into a hummingbird himself in hopes of catching up. It was the chase of a lifetime, and the shifter’s second nature was reveling in the thrill. “Prince Izuku, wait!”
Looking back, the fairy shouted, “I’ve humiliated myself enough. Just let me be!”
“You didn’t! Just let me — ”
The prince crashed against a large fir tree.
“Prince!”
Shinsou dove and shifted to kneel beside the omega and check on his wounds. As thick, jade lashes fluttered open, his breath hitched. Had the prince always had those gold specks to enhance the emerald color of his eyes? Had his lips always been so rosy and full?
Their faces gravitated towards each other, but when Shinsou noticed, he pulled away before his instincts got the best of him. “Are you okay, Prince Izuku?”
The prince covered his face with his hands. “Mortified, but I’ll live.”
“Why did you run — er, well, fly?”
“Why?!” he asked, gesticulating with his hands to show his exasperation with it all. “I just demanded that you confess when you were just doing your job. It was so dishonorable! What kind of prince am I?”
Shinsou snorted, shaking his head. “A foolish one.”
Izuku pouted and looked to the side, grumbling, “Gee, thanks. You don’t have to be mean about it.”
“You didn’t let me finish, you idiot.” He flicked at the greenette’s cheek. “I wasn’t doing that shit to court you, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to. It’s just that — hmph!”
A pair of soft lips against his own silenced him. It took a moment to register the fact that the fairy was kissing him! Before the ethereal being could pull back, Shinsou cupped the other’s face, tilting his head slightly to deepen the kiss that would hopefully convey the sincerity of his intentions. Their bodies slowly repositioned themselves so that Izuku ended on his lap, never breaking their connection until they were both breathless.
Maybe it wasn’t what he was tasked to do, maybe it wasn’t what either of them expected to find, but the shifter wasn’t going to complain about the outcome of their situation any time soon. The prince had chosen Shinsou as his mate, and the alpha wouldn't have it any other way — besides, it’s easier to keep him safe this way.